[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 126 (Tuesday, October 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9653-S9654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE GUEST CHAPLAIN

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I wish to take a moment of the Senate's 
time to particularly acknowledge the presence of our guest Chaplain, 
Gerald Kane, who is the Rabbi of Temple Beth-El in Las Cruces, NM.
  Rabbi Kane was ordained first in Cincinnati in 1970 at the Hebrew 
Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He has served pulpits in 
Portland, OR, New Orleans, Phoenix, and in Kansas City, before coming 
to Las Cruces some 3 years ago.
  Las Cruces is the second largest city in my home State of New Mexico, 
a very vibrant, growing metropolitan area. It is one of only five 
communities in New Mexico that has a synagogue. It has the third 
synagogue that was built in our State.
  Our Jewish community has always had a special role in the life of Las 
Cruces. Three of the mayors of that city have been of the Jewish faith.
  Following the September 11 attacks, Rabbi Kane, together with other 
religious leaders in Las Cruces, issued a statement of unity and 
support at the Las Cruces Islamic Center. He has coordinated clergy 
participation in this year following 9/11, and has worked very hard to 
bring the community together in that regard.
  We are very proud that he is here. In talking with him this morning, 
we were at a loss to think when we last had a clergyman from New Mexico 
as our guest Chaplain in the Senate. But it is entirely appropriate 
that we do today.
  I am very honored that Rabbi Kane was able to be with us.
  Also, I wish to acknowledge the presence of his wife Cyrille, who is 
here with him. They have four children and nine grandchildren.
  Let me also acknowledge the very good work of one of the staff people 
who works with me, Jeff Steinborn, who works in our Las Cruces office 
and who helped make the arrangements today for Rabbi Kane to be here.

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